Andy Rooney's Top Ten

<B>Andy Rooney</B> On The Democratic Presidential Candidates

2003Sep 26

CorrespondentRebecca Leung

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A weekly commentary by CBS News Correspondent Andy Rooney.The most recent polls indicate that President Bush's popularity has slipped. A year ago, his approval rating was around 70 percent. Now, it's about 50 percent.

There are 10 Democrats who want his job, not counting Hillary. They'd all like to be behind that desk in the Oval Office. It's very crowded back there.

There's Dick Gephardt from Missouri who has been an effective leader in the House for the Democrats. But we don't know whether he dyes his hair or not.

Joe Lieberman is a good and likable senator from Connecticut, and very religious, if you like that in a candidate.

Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, is the most liberal candidate and a real doctor. You could ask him if Prilosec is right for you.

Carol Moseley Braun is the only woman and the only candidate who uses three names. She's a former senator from Illinois and was also ambassador to New Zealand, which may be as close as she gets to the White House.

Al Sharpton calls himself "Reverend." I talked to representatives of the church in Brooklyn where Al says he was "ordained" when he was 9 years old, but they didn't know much about it. He's a good speaker and an entertaining debater.

Wesley Clark is a four star general and Bill Clinton's favorite - which could be a plus or a minus for him. He's been working for a financial firm in Little Rock, Ark. Everyone has something to hide.

John Edwards is new to politics. He made a fortune as a trial lawyer suing companies before he became a senator from North Carolina.

John Kerry is the most presidential looking. He won the Silver Star and the Purple Heart in Vietnam and has a rich wife.

Dennis Kucinich was a radio talk show host and mayor of Cleveland. We've never had a president who used to be both a mayor and a talk show host. And that probably won't change.

Bob Graham was elected to the Florida House of Representatives twice and the Florida Senate twice. He was elected governor of Florida twice, and he's been elected to the United States Senate twice. His chances of being elected president twice aren't that good.

It would be interesting to know who President Bush would prefer to run against. It probably wouldn't be the former first lady who says she doesn't want to be the real first first lady – yet.

I'd like to add one personal note, if I may. This is the beginning of our 36th season here at 60 Minutes and it's sort of a sentimental anniversary for me.Exactly 50 years from tonight, I will have been on the show for 75 years.